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Student success honoured at Abertay Sports Ball
25 March 2007
Over 100 people attended the University of Abertay Dundee’s Sports Ball on Saturday 24 March.
The Ball, which is held to mark the sporting achievements of students, saw the presentation of three ‘Half Blues’, awarded to individuals who are current or past Scottish University Sports Federation Champions or in the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) top five for their sport, and 31 ‘Colours’, awarded to first-team members who have played in at least 75% of matches.
The ‘Half Blues’ went to Holly Cram, Kristopher Holmes and Gavin Tomlinson, all of whom played for Scotland at hockey this year.
Special awards also presented included ‘Team of the Year’ for the Women’s Hockey Team who won the Scottish Universities Sport (SUS) division 3a and qualified through to the semi finals of the BUSA trophy.
The ‘Sports Bursar of the Year’ award went to Kerri Harper who is a member of the Scottish Women’s Golf Training Squad. Kerri came third in the 2006 SUS Golf Championships and second in the BUSA Stroke Play 2006.
The ‘Sports Person of the Year (Non Bursar)’ was given to hockey player Gavin Tomlinson. Gavin, who has represented Scotland, was a central figure in Abertay’s league winning side and also won the Scottish Indoors with his club side, Menzieshill.
More than 60 awards were presented at the event including, for each team sport, Player of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year and Most Committed to the Team.
The newly named ‘Father Eugene O’Sullivan Sports Club of the Year’ was awarded jointly to the Skydiving and Snowsports clubs. The Snowsports Club organised a trip to France for 30 skiers and the Skydiving Club managed to get over 20 first time jumpers and this award is for their team spirit, dedication and organisation skills.
The ‘Club of the Year’ is now named in honour of Father Eugene O’Sullivan who recently retired from the University. Father Eugene, over many years, coached and managed Abertay’s Gaelic Football Team leading them to many victories including the 2001 British Universities Championship Crown.
Professor Mike Swanston, Vice Principal of the University, presented the awards. He commented: “The tremendous achievements by individuals and teams has again this year been exceptional and Abertay is extremely proud to have such dedicated and talented sports men and women.
“The University is strongly committed to student sport. Our Elite Althletes Programme helps students to compete at national and international level, helping them to negotiate flexible study arrangements and access to funds to pay for attendance at competitions. We look forward to working more closely with the Sports Union and supporting our sports students as they strive for even greater glory and success next season.”
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NOTES
Full ‘Blues’ are awarded when an individual has represented their country at full international level. However, none are being awarded this year as a student cannot receive a Full Blue, Half Blue or Colour on more than one occasion, and there was no British University Games event this year meaning that Abertay athletes did not get the chance to represent Scottish Universities.
More information: http://www.abertay.ac.uk/sport/
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